Kew Gardens appoints new horticulture director

By Amy Dyduch

Kew Gardens has appointed a new director of horticulture, who will start his post in July.

Richard Barley is a qualified horticulturist and is currently chief executive officer of Open Gardens Australia, where he promotes the benefits of horticulture across Oz.

Prior to this, Barley was director of Melbourne Gardens, where he led the successful development of the gardens for 10 years.

“I am very excited to be joining the very talented team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew," he said. “It has long been my ambition to work in this extraordinary botanic garden. As a passionate horticulturist with a background of working in a major botanic garden, and as a strong advocate for public visitation and appreciation of gardens, the opportunity to take on the role of director of horticulture at Kew is irresistible. Together with my wife and daughter, I am very keenly looking forward to experiencing life at Kew Gardens.”

Barley will be a member of the executive board at Kew Gardens, reporting to the director, Richard Deverell

Photo courtesy of Kew Gardens.